December

This will be a post about ALL of December.  So there are lots and lots of pictures.  Obviously most of them are Christmas-related.  I LOVE Christmas and can't just pick a few.  (At least I narrowed it down from the hundreds that I took!)

We have a tradition that Michael always helps me put the lights on the stairs.  Caleb joined us this year.

 Putting up the Christmas tree.

 Tired teenagers. Aren't they helpful?  Sundays are tired.  (They did eventually help.)  Notice Nathan's Santa hat on his knee.  At least he's trying to participate.

I didn't even see this photo bomb, and don't know who it is either.

 Silly teenagers.

 Nathan trying to eat a branch.  Weird teenagers.

Michael always helps with the set up of the tree.  He loves Christmas as much as I do.

 More chess was played in December.  (That frog is Leap, the Kindergarten mascot.  He came to visit us for a weekend.)

 Lots of reading happened.  My kids LOVE to read!

 We finally got to see the last Hobbit movie.  My kids have been counting down the days for 163 days.  They were so excited and loved it!  And of course, they had to dress up... and bring friends.  It was fun!  However, I found the movie a bit boring.  Lots of fighting, a little dialogue, more fighting, still more fighting.  Was there a story in there?  My kids pointed out to me that "It is called The Battle of the Five Armies, mom!"  Ok, got it.  Lots of fighting.  Lots of girls crying when the "Hot Guy" (Killi) died.  I didn't find it sad.  I'm not up with the times, I guess.

Christmas Eve.  I look forward to this picture every year.

We have a tradition where they all get stuffed animals waiting for them at breakfast on Christmas morning.  They love stuffed animals and this tradition!

Waiting to go downstairs to see the presents.

First view.  Katie, Michael and Nathan are still on their way down.  They always go down in age order.  Something they made up - I had nothing to do with that.  At least I don't think.

I missed Michael.  He was too fast.  (See him behind Katie?)  

Nathan crawled down the stairs.  Don't ask me why.  He just did.

My sweet family got me a bear for my stocking!  If you know me, and my love for bears, you know this MADE my Christmas!

We always make them wait till after breakfast to open presents.  Here they are waiting while we finish cleaning up breakfast.  (Which is always Toaster Struedel by the way.  This is our 16th year of that tradition.)

The big kids, waiting.

Finally present time!  First, all the kids to each other.  Don't worry, I didn't post every pictures of every single kid giving to every single kid.

Katie was so excited to give a present to Dad.

Lydia gave Dad a Fish Clock.  If you've ever seen Cheaper by the Dozen 2, you'll know what I'm talking about.  Dad has gotten kinda "fish clock-ish" with Lydia (and all his girls) lately.  He was pacing the floor while she was at a movie with her friends.  

Michael gives Anna a new nutcracker for her collection every year.

Caleb was sad that he doesn't have a nutcracker, so Lydia got him one.

My kids all got together and got me a joint gift - the Willow Tree Figurines that I've wanted for ages.

I cried.  

They were happy.

Lydia loves to make movies.  She got a green screen for Christmas!  She had no idea, but was super surprised.

Anna got an iPod nano and loved it.  (She never puts it down, btw.)

Katie got movies.

Elizabeth got a Madame Alexander doll.  My grandma started the love of Madame Alexander dolls.  My mom has one, I have one, Anna and Lydia have one.  Now Elizabeth has one!

Nathan got luggage for his mission.  He was appreciative.  I wouldn't describe him as "excited", but how excited can you get about luggage?

Lydia's green screen

Caleb got Magformers.  

Elizabeth also got Lego Friends.

Katie got Backyardigan clothes and immediately disappeared to her bedroom.

We had our tradition cupcakes for Jesus's birthday.  The salted caramel was fabulous!

Michael got Wii games, and the kids all got a Wii U as a joint gift.

After the fun of Christmas was over (snif, snif), we decided to remodel our bathroom.  Here we go... 

Michael helped haul old stuff to the garage.  The shower door SHATTERED... WHILE he was holding it.  He didn't drop it or anything.  And it wasn't super cold, so we have no idea what happened.  It just exploded.  Michael was super lucky and only got two little cuts on his arms.  Crazy!  Both the shattering and that he is ok!

New Year's Eve.  I only took like 5 pictures all night.  Nathan, Michael and Annawent to parties.  The rest of us watched movies, ate ice cream, and got really tired... but we all made it till midnight!

And now it's 2015!!!